Major Requirements

The Bachelor of Science program in Statistics  provides rigorous training in the theoretical foundations of statistics, statistical modeling and methodology, and applied data analysis.  We also offer a Data Science option which is ideal for students with an interest in developing computational and data management skills.

As per University of Washington rules, students need a total of 180 credits in order to graduate. The University and College of Arts and Science graduation requirements can be found in your DARS report. 

• The Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) is a great tool tool to use to track your degree requirements. Here’s a quick tutorial on how to use this resource to help track your progress toward your major and graduation!

Note: The Statistics Department has submitted a proposal which includes changes to the admission and completion requirements. The proposed changes are under final review and have not yet been approved by the University, and are not official until approved by the University. We are currently going through the undergraduate program proposal approval process  to obtain University approval for the proposed changes. For changes to the admissions requirements, please see the Admissions page. All other changes only apply following admission to the major and to courses restricted to the major. Hence these will not be detailed here until we obtain final approval. 

Bachelor of Science in Statistics: Minimum of 68 credits as follows

A minimum GPA of 2.0 and cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required in all courses used to satisfy major requirements.

• Mathematics (28 - 30 credits):

  • Calculus:  MATH 124⁵, MATH 125⁵, MATH 126⁵  and MATH 224³ . 
  • Linear Algebra: MATH 208³, MATH 318³ .
  • Mathematical reasoning & analysis: MATH 300³ and MATH 327³.
  • Students can replace all of the above requirements (except MATH 318) by taking the Honors sequence MATH 134⁵, MATH 135⁵, MATH 136⁵, MATH 334⁵, and MATH 335⁵    

        *Students admitted Spring 2022 or earlier may replace MATH 318 with MATH 207³ or AMATH 351³.  

• Statistics (24 - 27 credits):
  • Introductory statistics -- one from STAT 311⁵ (recommended), or STAT 390⁴ or approved substitute.
  • Probability theory -- one from STAT 340⁴ (recommended) or both STAT/MATH 394³ and STAT/MATH 395³.
  • Statistics theory   --  STAT 341⁴ and STAT 342⁴.
  • Applied statistics – STAT 421⁴ and STAT 423⁴.

• Computing (7 - 9 credits):
  • Introductory programming: One of   CSE 122⁴, CSE 123⁴, CSE 142⁴ or CSE 160⁴ (recommended)
  • Upper level programming:  One of   STAT 302³ (recommended), CSE 123⁴ , CSE 143⁵ or CSE 163⁴ . 
  • Students in the Data Science option must take 9 credits from the courses listed above.

• Electives:
  • Regular: At least 3 courses for a total of 9 credits from the list of electives.
  • Data Science Option: 
    • Visualization: One of  HCDE 411⁵, INFO 474⁵, CSE 412⁴ , CSE 442⁴. (CSE 442 accepted only for double majors with CSE)
    • Database: One of  CSE 414⁴, CSE 344⁴ or INFO 330⁵.  (CSE 344 accepted only for double majors with CSE)
    • Ethics*: One of STAT 303³ (recommended), SOC 225^3/5, or INFO 350 .
    • Machine Learning: STAT 435⁴
    • Statistics: One course (from the always approved category) from the approved list of electives.

                  *Students admitted Spring 2022 or earlier are allowed to take CSE 491¹ to meet the ethics requirement although it is not ideal. 

Restriction on double majors:

• No double majors with MATH
• No double majors with ACMS (any track)
• No post-bac students
• There is no added benefit to pursuing two DS options since they cover the same knowledge areas, often with the same recommended courses.

Planning Your Program of Study

The statistics major may be completed in 2 years. The following schedule shows how a student who discovers statistics after arriving at UW may still be able to complete all the necessary coursework for submitting an application. 

Sample Program

Footnotes:

^1: MATH 300 is the only course that teaches the techniques of writing mathematical proofs. Students must take this class immediately upon being admitted to the major as subsequent courses will assume that students are familiar with how to write a proof.

² : CSE 416 "Introduction to Machine Learning'" does not fulfill major requirements, however, alumni have noted that the course was helpful for summer internships/jobs, especially if they found themselves unable to take STAT 435 (majors version). STAT 435 "Introduction to Statistical Machine Learning" is best taken after completing the applied statistics sequence STAT 421 and 423 for many, although students are encouraged to take it during spring of the junior year to be prepared for internships.

^{3 :} STAT/MATH 396 "Probability III" is a good elective for those considering a PhD in statistics.  You should probably take STAT/MATH 395 in this case also even though it's not required for our major.

Additional comments: 

• Students entering with AP credit for MATH 124 or MATH 124 - MATH 125 are encouraged to take a look at the exam archives for 124 and 125 before making a decision on whether or not to skip these foundational courses. The calculus courses at UW  emphasize problem solving and geometry.  As such, they go beyond most AP calculus curricula.

• STAT 220, STAT 221 or STAT 290 are never allowed as a suitable substitute. STAT 311 is a better choice than STAT 390 for statistics majors as it emphasizes statistical reasoning.

• The combination of both STAT/MATH 394 and 395 may be used to replace STAT 340 as a prerequisite to STAT 341. 

• All Statistics majors MUST complete STAT 342 prior to enrolling in STAT 421 and 423. (STAT 390 or STAT 509 are NOT sufficient for a Statistics major to enroll in either STAT 421 or STAT 423).

• The placement of MATH 327 in the above schedule will be beneficial for most students. Mathematically mature students may consider taking MATH 327 in their junior year.